ECSM 2026
13th European Conference on Social Media
Biographies
Below are the ECSM Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Christos Karpasitis is an Assistant Professor and Head of the School of Arts, Media & Communication at UCLan Cyprus. His academic background spans Multimedia, Digital Entertainment, E-Business, Digital Communication, and Information Systems, and he holds a PhD in Digital Media and Online Advertising from the University of Central Lancashire (UK). His research focuses on digital media theory, online advertising, social media virality, web design, and design for social change, with several publications and funded projects in these areas. As an interdisciplinary artist, his creative practice includes audiovisual production, electronic music, photography, and digital design, often addressing themes of cultural preservation, social impact, and entertainment. He bridges traditional research with artistic production, leading initiatives that merge innovation, education, media, arts, and design. Christos is a member of the European Cultural Parliament and the European Communication Research and Education Association, and serves as a reviewer for several distinguished academic journals.
Lambros Ioannou is a Lecturer in Web Design & Development and the Course Leader of the BSc (Hons) Web Design & Development at UCLan Cyprus. He holds a Master of Arts in Design from AKTO/Middlesex University (2009) and a BSc in Applied Multimedia from the University of Nicosia (2008). With over 15 years of professional experience in web design, user experience (UX), corporate identity, and digital communication, he has delivered work across several sectors, collaborating with diverse teams and professionals from Cyprus and abroad. He combines academic teaching with practical industry experience, focusing on functional, accessible, and user-friendly design. Lambros serves on the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Association of Graphic Designers and Illustrators (CAGDI) and is a jury member for the international Online Design Awards. Through his work in education and design, he supports the development of the next generation of digital professionals.
Keynote Speakers
Mini Track Chairs
Christiana Varda is a Lecturer and Course Leader of the BSc (Hons) Media Production at UCLan Cyprus. She is also a Research Associate at the Media Cognition and Learning Research Group at the Department of Communication and Internet Studies at the Cyprus University of Technology. Her research interests include media literacy, misinformation and epistemic cognition. As a learning scientist, her research is grounded in the understanding that effective learning occurs at the intersection of individual cognition, social interaction, and designed environments. Her recent work centres on the design of new technologies that can support epistemic engagement with online information.